Musical instrument.



No. 731,435. PATBNTBD JUNE 23, 1903. HIP. GOWLES. MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

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,435. PATENTBD JUNE 23 BI P. COWLES.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5, 1899-.

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No. '731,435. I PATENTED' JUNE 23.19-03- E. P. COWLES.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5, 1899.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3 PATENTED JUNE 2a, 1903.

E. P. GOWLES.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION rum) mm: a, 1899.

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L B D 0 I 0 N Na. 731,435. PATBNTED JUNE 23, 1903. E. P. UOWLES. MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION rum) JUNE 5. 1899.

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N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented Tune 23, 1905.

EDVARD P. OOWLES, OF WARREN, OHIO.

MUSICALIINSTRUMEFNT.

SPECiFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 731,435, dated June 23, 1903.

Application filed June 5, 1899. Serial No. 71 9,416- (N'o model.)

To (0Z5 whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD P. CoWLEs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Warren, in the county of Trumbull and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in musical instruments, and particularly to selfplaying instruments in which the tunes are produced by rotating or otherwise-movable note-sheets which cooperate with a sounding device to produce the desired tunes.

One object of my invention is to produce in comparatively simple and compact form an instrument in which a series of note-sheets are taken one at a time from a suitable magazine or holder and moved into operative relation with the sounding device or musical instrument proper andafter being played removed automatically to a note-sheet holder. In the particular form illustrated in the drawings the sheets are always maintained in a horizontal position, being deposited horizontally in a magazine and played horizontally. This is the preferred form of the invention, asit enables the various operations to be performed with a minimum expenditure of power andperrnits the mechanism to be arranged in a very compact manner. Furthermore, the invention is in this form applicable to the common forms of self-playing instruments.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for controlling the instrument in such a manner that any note-sheet may be played continuously or a selected number of times. The repeating device by which this is effected is adapted to automatically cooperate with the note-sheetchanging devices to cause each sheet of a series to be played one, two, or more times before passing to the next sheet. The improved machine is therefore capable of a variety of adjustments, which add very greatly to the power of entertainment of the instrument or music-box to which it is applied. For instance, a single sheet may be played continuously as long as desired or a series of sheets may be placed in the instrument and the entire series played automatically and successively, each tune being played once, or by a simple adjustment of the repeating device each tune may be played two or more times before the next note-sheet is substituted. The note-sheets to be played require no adjustment in the instrument, but are simply to be placed in a suitable receptacle in any desired order.

The invention consists, further, in Various improvements in construction and arrangement of parts and .in specific devices for effecting the various movements, all of Whichwill be fully described in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of a self-playing musical instrument embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3is an end elevation of the repeating mechanism. Fig. 4 is a plan view. Fig. 5 is a View of the opposite side of the repeating mechanism from that shown in Fig. Fig. 6 is a sectional detail view. Fig. 7 is a view on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6. Figs. 8 to 12, inclusive, illustrate various positions of the devices for operating the sheet-removing arm. Figs. 13 to 16 are detail views of an adjustable roller-support for the operative notesheet. Figs. 17' to 19 are detail views of the adjustable holders for supporting the series of inoperative note-sheets.- Fig. 20 is a detail view of part of the controlling devices, and Fig. 21 is a detail view of one of the pairs ofsupports for theinactive tune-sheets.

Like reference-signs designate correspond ing parts in the several figures of the drawings, referring to which- Adesignatestheinclosingcase orbox,which may be of any suitable material and is preferably provided with a hinged lid or cover in the ordinary manner. Within this box or casing is secured a transversely-extending horizontal plate or cross-bar 1, upon which is secured the musical instrument proper, which is a sound-producing comb 2. On said bar or plate 1 is also arranged the pivot 3, about which the operative note or tune sheet 4is rotated, motion being imparted to said sheet by means of a suitably-driven peripherally-toothed power-wheel 5, engaging with apertures formed in the plate or sheet near the periphery or edge thereof, as is customary in this class of instruments.

6 designates a presser bar or rod which provided with a series of rollers adapted to IOO contact with the upper surface of the note or tune sheet when the latter is in operative position and press said sheet into propercontact with the sound-producing device 2. A series of roller-supports are also provided for the tune-sheet while in operative position, such supports being indicated by the reference-numerals '7, 8, 9, and 10.

Within the casingA and above the planes of the sound-producing device2and presserbar 6 I arrange a magazine or holder adapted to receive a series of tune-sheets. In the embodiment of my invention herein illustrated this magazine consists of a ring-like frame 11, provided with a laterally-projecting flange 12, adapted to be secured to the upper edge of one of the sides of the box or casing A, and at diametrically opposite points with a similar bar or plate 13, the opposite ends of which are secured to opposite walls of the box or casing A. provided about its inner face with a series of upwardly-extending arms 14, between which the series of tune-sheets 15 are confined. Said tune-sheets are supported by any suitable number of radially-adjustable plates or fingers mounted on the frame 11. Preferably there is a pair or set of such plates 16 17 in vertical alinement with each of the aforesaid upwardly-extending arms 14. The plates 16 17 are preferablyconnected with the frame 1 in the manner illustrated in Figs. 17 to 19, pins 18, rigid with said frame, extending through suitable slots formed in the plates. Each plate is provided at its end adjacent to the inner face of the frame 11 with a laterally-projecting portion, and these portions or sections 19 20, as shown in Fig. 21, overlap or extend one behind the other.

Suitable means are provided for alternately adjusting the plates 16 17 radially of the note or tune sheets, the slots through which the pins 18 extend permitting of this movement and the overlapping, parts 19 20 being so formed as to permit one to ride over the other. By this arrangement the sheets 15 are supported alternately by the plates 16 17, and before the lower and operative one ofsaid supporting-plates is moved from operative position the other plate of each series is moved forwardly, but in a plane above the previouslyoperative plate, so as to enter between the two lowermost sheets of the series 15 in the holder. Such adjustment of the supportingplates 16 17 allows the lowest note-sheet to move downward toward the operating parts of the mechanism.

It will be seen that it is necessary that the tune-sheets when supported in inactive posisitious be separated one from the other. Various means may be employed for accomplishing this, depending on the character of the tune-sheet employed. In the embodiment of my invention herein illustrated, in which the sheets, as aforesaid, are each, provided with aseries of perforations near its periphery The frame llis also to receive the teeth of the driving-sprocket 5, a lip 22 is formed adjacent to any suitable number of said perforations. These lips 22 extend downwardly from their respective note-sheets substantially as far as the note projections on the sheet, and by contact with the next lowest sheet in the series separate said sheet sufficiently to allow of the free entrance of the supporting-plates 16 17. Any suitable means may be employed for giving this alternate reciprocation to the plates 16 17. At present I prefer to employ the construction and arrangement of parts illustrated particularly in Figs. 21 and 17 to 19, referring to which 23 designates a short vertical shaft mounted in suitable supports on the frame 11 and provided near its upper end with a laterally-extending arm 24.. A finger orstud 25, depending from said arm 24, extends into a slot 26 in that supportingeach of the plates 16 17 is provided with such plate which is in operative positionthat is, a slot 26-and as the shaft 23 is oscillated the pin 25 is caused to alternately enter and leave said slot in each plate.

On an arm 27, extending laterally from the shaft 23 in a direction opposite to the arm 24, is mounted a pressure wheel or roller 28, which travels over the upper surface of the plates 16 17, the parts being so arranged that said presser-roller will always bear upon the plate which is supporting the tune-sheets 15.

On the shaft 23, near its lower end, is socured a pinion 29, preferably of the form shown, and 30 designates a toothed segment which is secured to a ring 31, extending continuously around and below the aforesaid ring-like part of the frame 11, the teeth of said segment engaging with each of the series of pinions 29. As shown, each pinion 29 is preferably formed of two parallel horizontallyarranged disks connected by a suitable number of vertical pins, and the ring 31 is supported vertically by the engagement between the lower of said disks and the under surface of the rack 30, the peripheral edge of the said lower disk forming a roller-bearing about which the ring 31 can be vibrated. The forward edge of each of the plates 16 17 is oppositely beveled or inclined, as at 32, and the rear edge of each of the portions 19 20 of said plates is inclined, as indicated at The upper face or surface of the ring 11 in line with the plates 16 17 is beveled or reduced in thickness toward its inner edge to provide a fulcrum-like ridge 34, about which the weight of the lowest one of the series of tune-sheets 15 will cause that one of said plates 16 17 which is below it to vibrate when the roller 28 is so adjusted as to allow the outer end of said plate to move upwardly. Power is communicated to the said ring 31 by means of a bell-crank lever 35, suitably fulcrumed on a support on the base-plate 1 and having one arm, 36, extending into a socket or passage in said ring 31, and its oplSC posite arm connected with a crank 37, which in turn is connected, as will be hereinafter described, with suitable power devices.

It will be understood that any suitable number of pairs or sets of supporting-plates 16 17 may be provided and that such power devices as the shaft 23 and parts associated therewith and above described will be employed with each pair of said plates, all of such power devices being simultaneously actuated by the vibrations of the ring 31.

Referring particularly to Figs. 17, 18, in which the supporting-plate 16 is shown as extending below the lowermost tune-sheet of the series of inactive sheets 15, it will be seen that when the shaft 23 is rotated to cause the plate 17 to move radially into the holder or magazine the beveled forward edge 32 of the portion 20 of said plate will be forced up over the rear bevel 33 of the portion 19 of the plate 16 and the forward edge of said plate 17 caused to enter the series of tune-sheets between the two lower members of suchseries. As the plate 17 is thus advanced the roller 28, which acts as a stop to hold the operative one of the plates 16 17 in position to support the series of inactive tune-sheets, is moved, so that by the time the parts have reached the positions indicated in Fig. 18 both plates 16 17 will be advanced and the said roller 28 will be passed from the plate 16 about to be moved onto the stationary one 17. After the roller 28 has left the plate 16 and passed onto that at 17 the plate 16 will, owing to the weight of the lowest tune-sheet 15, which is still supported by said plate, be rocked into the position shown in Fig. 19, and then by the further rotation of the shaft 23 and the pin 25 be withdrawn from below said sheet, which will automatically fall down upon the supportingrollers 7 S and about the pivot 3, the pressure arm or rod 6 being at this time out of operative position. Each set of plates 16 17 and the power devices for actuating the same may, as shown, be inclosed within a suitable housing 38. Below the arm 2& the shaft 23 is reduced to semicylindrical form, and this portion of the shaft is arranged to enter a seat or notch 39 in the plate 17, which is in operative position and hold it from movement away from the tune-sheets. The parts are so arranged that there is no positive movement of the active plates 16 17; but the one of said plates which is not supporting the weight of the series of note or tune sheets is advanced and caused to relieve the other coacting plate from the weight of all but the lowest of said series of sheets.

It will be seen from the previous description and the drawings that the series of notesheets is always supported by one of the plates 16 17 and is-fed downward gradually by the vertical rocking of the plate which happens to be supporting it instead of being dropped suddenly, which sudden movement might damage the sheets. This downward movement of the note-sheets takes place as the roller 28 moves from the plate supporting the pile of sheets to the other plate. For instance, in Fig. 17 the plate 16 is supporting the pile of note-sheets and the plate 17 is withdrawn. As the wheel 28 rolls to the position in which it rests upon the dividing-line between the two plates, which is approximately shown in Fig. 18, the series of note-sheets continues to rest on the plate 16 and the plate 17 moves up over the portion 19 of plate 16 and in between the two lowest note-sheets. As the wheel 28 rolls slowly off of the plate 16 said plate is tipped gradually by the weight of the note-sheets, lowering the pile slowly until it rests on the plate 17, which is now held rigidly by the wheel 28. The further movement of the wheel 28 in the same direction continues to hold the plate 17 rigidly while the plate 16 is withdrawn by the pin 25, permitting the bottom sheet to fall into operative position. These movements are then reversed, the overlapping part 19 of plate 16 being pushed forward over the part 20 of plate 17 and in between the next pair of sheets. It will be noted that one of the plates of each pair engages with alternate sheets of the series of note-sheets, while the other plate engages with the remaining sheets in said series. In other words, neither plate engages all of the note-sheets of a series, but only with alternate sheets.

The presser-arm 6 is mounted and adapted to be adjusted in a novel manner. It is connected by arm 40 with a vertical shaft 41, and suitable means are provided for automatically lifting and rotating said shaft, and thereby swinging the arm 6 to points outside of the path of movement of a tune-sheet in passing from the magazine or holder 11 to operative position about the pivot 3. The said arm 6 is also provided with means whereby it is caused to positively engage with the tunesheet in operative position and when so moved horizontally carry such sheet from beneath the holder 11 onto a suitable holder 42. This holder in the embodiment of my invention herein illustrated is formed by the upper section of one of the side walls of the box A, which is suitably hinged to the lower portion of said wall, and thus adapted to form ahorizontal shelf-like projection, onto which the tune-sheets 15 may be successively deposited. The holder 42 for the played note-sheets, as will be seen from an inspection of Fig. 1, is partly below the upper magazine or holder, so that sheets in the upper holder overlap those in the lower holder. The sheet being played is directly beneath the upper holder, and it also overlaps the sheets in the lower holder. One of the features of my invention is the arrangement of the note-sheet holders so that they overlap, thus economizing space. In large instruments the amount of overlap can be nearly equal to theradius of the notesheets. At its free end the arm or rod 6 is provided with a peculiarly shaped head. This, as most clearly shown in Fig. 3, con- ICC dlL

sists of two dogs or clutch devices 43, which are pivotally connected with the arm at 44. These dogs 43 are of such form as to provide a longitudinally-tapering head, and they are connected together, so as to act or move in unison, by suitable intermeshing teeth, as at 45, and normally forced apart at their lower ends bymeansofaspring46. Theheadthusformed at the free end of the arm 6 is of such size as to pass through the central aperture in the tune-sheet when the lower ends of said dogs are forced together. A notch or groove 47 is formed in the outer face of each dog 43 near its lower end. The head formed by said dogs 43 is of such shape, as shown in the drawings, that as its lower end passes through the central aperture in the operative tune-sheet the said dogs will be forced together in opposition to the spring 46. As soon as the head has passed through the sheet sufficiently to bring the notches 47 in said dogs in aiinement with the sheet the said spring forces the lower ends apart, and the body of said sheet about the central opening therein is thus received within the groove 0r notches 47. When the arm 6 is moved upward, it will be seen that the tune-sheet engaged therewith will also be lifted clear of the pivot 3, and when the arm is swung laterally, owing to the rotation of the shaft 41, the sheet will also be moved in the manner indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. A suitable casing is formed about the dogs 43, but for the purpose of clearly illustrating the parts is removed in Fig. 3.

Suitable tripping mechanism is provided for automatically disengaging the arm 6 from the tune-sheet when the desired outward movement has been completed. This tripping mechanism comprises an arm 48, which is pivotally connected to the arm 6 and has its shorter arm bearing against a projection 49 on one of the aforesaid parts 43. As the arm 6 reaches the desired position a stationary tappet or lug 50 on the frame of the holder 11 engages with the longer arm of lever 48 and rocking said lever about its pivot forces the two members 43 toward each other, thereby disengaging the head of arm 6 from the tune-sheet and allowing the latter to fall upon the support 42 provided for it.

- To guide the shaft 41 in its vertical movements and insure that the enlarged head at the inner free end of the arm 6 will be properly positioned relative to the aperture in that tune-sheet which is in operative position, I provide a laterally-projecting lug 51 on the bearing 52. This lug 51 extends into a slot formed between two arms 53 54, depending from the connecting-piece 40. When the arm 6 and shaft 41 are elevated into the positions indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the lower end of lug 54 of arm 40 will be brought into the plane of the upper surface of lug 51 and as said shaft is rotated the arm 54 rides over the lug 51 and the weight of said shaft and the presser-arm are sustained thereby.

In order that the arm 6 may be held with the necessary force against the operative tune-sheet and yet not put an undesirable load upon the motor when lifting the shaft 41, I preferably employ a coiled spring 55. This spring is suitably supported on the framework and has one end bearing down upon a roller 56, mounted 011 the short arm of a cam-lever 57, that is pivotally connected with the frame of the apparatus. The lower and longer arm of the lever 57 is connected with the spindle or shaft 41 by a link 58. When the parts are in the positions shown in Fig. 5 and the spindle 41 is in its lowest position, the full force of the spring 55 is transmitted to the arm 6. As soon, however, as the spindle 41 and arm 6 begin to move upwardly the lever 57 rocks about its pivot, so that by the time the spindle has been elevated, say, one-quarter of an inch the force of the spring is practically removed therefrom and is not applied until the parts are again lowered.

The rollers 7, 8, 9, and 10, on which the tune-sheet rests while in operation, may be of any suitable style and form. Those at 9 10 are mounted on the bed-plate or cross-piece 1, while those at 7 8 are carried by suitable hangers depending from the holderframe 11. The roller-supports 7 8 lie in planes above those at 9 10, so that the note-sheet is concave when in operative position. The roller 9 is preferably mounted above and adapted to be moved vertically by a coiled spring, so that as soon as the presser-arm 6 is raised and the tune-sheet previously engaged thereby is relieved from its weight the said sheet will be disengaged from the driving-wheel 5. When the rollers for supporting the tune-sheet in operative position are arranged in the manner illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that unless some means are provided for moving the frame of the roller 7 from its normal operative position the tune-sheet last played cannot be removed from its operative position and from the case A. Therefore I mount said roller 7 on a vertically-swinging carrier 59. This carrier is pivotally connected to a support 60, that in turn is pivotally connected to vibrate about a horizontal axis to a plate 61, secured to the under side of the holder 11. The plate 61 is provided with arms 62, that act as stops to normally hold the carrier 59 in vertical position and prevent vibration thereof about the axis of its pivotal connection with the support 60. A coiled spring 63 is arranged about the axis on which the support 60 is adapted to vibrate and has a free end bearing against and acting to hold said support in an elevated position.

On the ring 31, by which, as hereinbefore described, the plates 16 17 for supporting the inactive tune-sheets are actuated whenever a new sheet is to be moved into operative position, is arranged a depending V-shaped lug 64. As the ring 31 is vibrated the said lug 64 is caused to move over the support 60, thereby depressing its free end and also the carrier 59 and roller 7.

designates a cam-plate which is pivotally mounted on one face of the lug 64cand is adapted to vibrate or oscillate for a limited distance about its pivotal connection with said lug. The lower end of this plate is concaved somewhatand it does not extend aslow as,alihough it is of greater width than, the lug 6st. As the support 60 is depressed tappet lugs or pins 66, extending from the roll-carrier 59, strike against stationary arms 62 of the plate 61, and thereby said carrier is rocked about its axis and, with the roller 7, moved into the position shown in Fig. 16. When the roller 7 is in the position shown in said Fig. 16, it will be seen that it presents no obstruction to the lateral swinging movement of the tunesheet that is engaged by the presser-arm 6. The plate 65 is adapted to form a shoulder 67 at one side of the lug 64, and therefore when said lug has been moved across the upper surface of the support 60 said support and parts carried thereby will be permitted under pressure exerted by the spring 63 to rise until said support contacts with the shoulder 67 and the parts are in the positions indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 14. When the ring 31 has moved sufficiently far to bring the vertical edge or side of the plate 65 beyond the support 60, said support and the roller 7 will be restored to their normal elevated position. The plate 65 is of such shape and size and so related to the lug 64. that it is caused by contact with the support 59 to alternately move its opposite edges into vertical position.

It will be seen that the abovedescribed movements of the roller 7 and its supporting parts occur at each movement of the ring 31 in either direction and the movements of the lug 61 and cam-plate 65 are so regulated that while the presser-arm 6 is rising to disengage the tune-sheet from the pivot 3 the roller 7 will be moved into the inoperative position shown in Fig. 16, and the lug 64 is of such width at its lower end as to retain said roller in this inoperative position until the tunesheet has been moved thereunder. Before the arm 6 reaches the extreme limit of its outward movement and the tune-sheet is disengaged therefrom the lug 64 passes off from the roller-support 60 and the carrier 59 is allowed to swing into a vertical position, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 14. WVhen the roller is in this position, it is adapted to receive the next sheet 15, which is then antomatically released from the elevated holder. By the time the presser-arm has been returned to its operative position and forced by its spring down on the tune-sheet then in operative position sufficiently to cause said sheet to engage the driving-sprocket 5 the cam 61 has passed entirely from engagement with the roller-support 60, and the latroller 7, and thereby giving the desired concave form to the operative sheet.

The motor mechanism and the connections therewith by which the tune-sheet is rotated and the various parts operated to automatically remove the played sheet from operative position and bring anotherfrom the elevated holder are most clearlyillustrated in Figs. 2, 17, 18, 19, and 21.- Reference-numeral 68 designates a spring-motor of any suitable construction and such as is commonly employed with instruments of the class to which my invention relates. It is connected with clockwork (conventionally illustrated at 69) and with a governing mechanism (similarly indicated at 70) which has a controlling arm or lever 71, as is customary. Power is transmitted from the main driving-gear to the gear 5, meshing, as aforesaid, with the tunesheet when in operative position, and also from said main driving-gear 72 to the means by which the shaft 41 is at predetermined times elevated and vibrated about its axis. In the embodiment of my invention herein illustrated gear 72 meshes with a pinion 73. On the same shaft with the pinion 73 is a gear 74, which meshes with two gear-Wheels, one, 75, of which is secured rigidly to adriving-shaft 76, while the other, '77, is secured on a sleeve 78, which is normally free to revolve on the shaft 76. At one end the shaft 76 is connected to a gear 79, having on one face a laterally-projecting roller 80. This roller 80 extends into acam-shaped groove or way formed in a plate 81, secured to and projecting radiallyfrom the shaft 41 at its lower end. The link 37, by which the ring 31 and supporting-plates 16 17 for the series of tunesheets are operated, is also operated from the gear 79. The lower end of said link is connected, as at 82, to the face of agear 83, that meshes with said gear 79. The gear 83 is pro vided with twice as many teeth as the gear 79 and performs its complete operation in onehalf of a revolutionthat is, While the gear 79 makes a complete revolution the gear 83 will make but one-half of its complete revolution; but the parts connected with the last gear are so related as to perform their functions during this half-revolution of gear 83. 84 designates a sleeve mounted on the shaft 76 and provided at one end With two coupling-pins 85, adapted to extend through suitable passages formed in the gears 77 75. The apertures in the gear 77 are so located that they aline with those in the gear 75 at but one point in the revolution of the sleeve 84. When said apertures are thus alined, the coupling-pins 85 are forced therethrough and the two gears 77 75 are thus connected together and power of the gear 74 transmitted to the shaft 76. This movement of the sleeve 84 longitudinally of the shaft 76 is accomplished by employinga coiled spring 86, which is fitted about a rod 87, between a stationary ter is vibrated about its pivots, raising the abutment on the frame and a collar or yoke connect the gear 75 with gear 77.

88, which extends into an annular passage or groove in the sleeve 84 and connects it with said rod 87. YVhen the parts are in such position that a tune-sheet is being rotated and engaging with the sound-producing device 2, the gear 75, which is a mutilated gear, is in such position that the teeth of the gear 74 do not mesh there with, but rotate freely through the clear space between teeth 89 and 90. The gear 77 and sleeve 78 connected therewith, however, are continuously rotated while the motor is in action. Suitable means, to be hereinafter described, are provided whereby upon the completion of any predetermined number of revolutions of the operative tunesheet the rod 87 and sleeve 84 are allowed to move longitudinally of the shaft 76 under the impulse of spring 86 and cause the pins 85 to As soon as the parts are thus connected the power of the motor mechanism will be transmitted to the shaft 76 and gear 79 will be rotated. The cam-groove in the plate 81 on shaft 41 is of such shape that the roller is first caused to lift or move said shaft vertically, thereby withdrawing the head at the free end of the arm 6 from the pivot 3, and as the disk 79 continues to revolve the roller 80 causes the shaft 41 to rotate about its axis and swing the tune-sheet last played from operative position, as hereinbefore described.

From the above description it will be seen that at each complete revolution of the shaft 76the shaft 41 will be actuated to remove the tune-sheet last played from operative position, and by means of the link 37 and devices actuated thereby the lowest tune-sheet in the elevated magazine or holder will be released and caused to fall into operative position and the presser-arm 6 returned to force this last-said sheet into contact with the sound-producingdevice2. Aroller91,mounted on the sleeve 84, rides against a stationary cam or trip device 92, by means of which the said sleeve will be automatically moved toward the gear 79 after the shaft 76 has made about half a revolution, thereby withdrawing the pins 85 from the gear 77. Such disconnection of gears 77 75 does not, however, stop the rotation of shaft 76, as at that time the gear 74 is meshing with the toothed portion of gear 75, and such rotation of the said shaft continues until the untoothed portion of the periphery of said gear 75 comes into position beneath the gear 74. Longitudinal movement of the rod 87, which, as aforesaid, is necessary to permit of connecting the gear 74 with the shaft 76, is controlled by either of a series of disks 93 94 95 96 97, which are included in the repeating mechanism, by which any desired number of revolutions can be given to a particular tune-sheet and the action of the shifting devices deferred until the completion of the last of said revolutions. These disks 93 97, which I shall term re' peating-wheels, are each supported by an arm or bar 98, which bars are loosely mounted on rods 99, extending parallel to the shaft 76, so that the entire series of repeating wheels or disks can be moved longitudinallyof said shaft. In each repeating-wheel is formed an aperture 100 of a diameter sufficient to admit bar or rod 87 and a coacting stop-bar 101. The adjacent ends of stop bars or rods 87 101 are provided with interlocking pin-and-socket connections. Each of the repeat wheels or disks is provided in its periphery with a series of notches or teeth, and the sleeve 78 is provided with a single tooth 102, which at each revolution of said sleeve will engage with one of the teeth of that disk which is in line therewith and rotate said disk one step. It will be seen that when the apertures 100 in all of the disks 93 97 are in alinement the spring 86 will act to force the rod 87 therethrough, thereby coupling the gears 77 75 together, with the result above described. Normally, however, the free end of the rod 87 bears against the face of the disk which is adjusted to be rotated by tooth 102 of the sleeve 78, as above described. The sleeve 78 will make several revolutions to each revolution of the tune-sheet being played. In the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated said sleeve will make eight complete revolutions while a single selection is being played, and as it requires, as above described, a length of time equal to that in which the sleeve 78 is making one revolution to operate the shaft 41, remove the played sheet, and substitute a new one, the disk 94 is provided with nine teeth. That at 95, which when moved into alinement with the tooth 102 on sleeve 78 will cause the tune sheet being played to make two revolutions before the shaft 41 and parts connected therewith are operated, will have seventeen teeth, and the number of teeth on the disks 96 97, which respectively cause the tune-sheet to be revolved three and four times before being removed from the machine, will have a correspondingly increased number of teeth. The

smallest repeating-disk 93 has but eight.

notches or teeth and is designed for playing a note-sheet continuously. When this disk is operative-that is, when it is opposite the tooth 102 of shaft 78the note-sheet in position will be played until the instrument is stopped or one of the larger repeating-disks brought into operation. To effect this continuous playing, the rod 87 is provided with a bend or shoulder which bears against the frame 98 and prevents the end of the rod from entering the hole in the disk 93. The repeat-disks are, as aforesaid, movable longitudinally of the shaft 76, their carrying-arms 98 being loosely supported on the bars 99, so that any desired one of said disks can be brought into alinement with the tooth 102. For effecting this movement 1 preferably employ a lever 103, which extends to the exterior of the case A and is connected at its lower end with a shifting rod 104, that is connected said lever is provided at any suitable point with a pointer 105, adapted to travel over an exposed index-plate 106. Any suitable means, such as a pin or stud engaging with a series of sockets corresponding in location and arrangement to the divisions of the index 106, may be employed to retain the parts in their adjusted positions. When a tunesheet is being played and the shaft 76 is disconnected from the power devices, the adjacent ends of the bars 87 101 bear against opposite faces of one of the repeating-disks, and therefore said disks can only be bodily adjusted when the apertures 100 therein are in alinement, which is only during a portion of the time that the shaft 76 is revolving. In order to prevent damage to the parts by reason of attempting to adjust said disks at an improper time, I have provided a spring-buffer. This consists of a coiled spring 108, arranged about the rod 104 between disks or arms 109 on a bar 110. Suitable pins or stops 111 are provided on the bar for engaging said arms 109. When the lever 103 is moved, it will, if the parts are in proper position,through movement of the rod 10st adjust the repeatingdisks, so as to bring the one corresponding to that division on the index 106 with which the pointer alines, into engagement with the tooth 102. If, however, it is attempted to move said lever 103 when the parts are not in proper position, the effect will be simply to compress the spring 108 without doing any damage to the other parts.

The stop-bar 101 is for the purpose of positively stopping the mechanism when any one of the tune-sheets has been played the desired number of times. Itis connected with the usual stopping device 71 by means of a rock-shaft 113. WVhen it is desired to stop the apparatus, the stop-lever 71 is properly adjusted, and the spring 114 then acts to rock a projection near the lower end of said lever into the path of the escapement of the clockwork 70, but is prevented if the end of bar 101 is in contact with the face of one of the repeat-disks. As soon, however, as the aperture 100 in said disk comes into alinement with the bar '101 said bar is forced therein into engagement with the rod 87, and the escapement of the clockwork being engaged the motor is stopped.

The operation of my improvements is as follows: A series of tune-sheets of any desired number, according to the size of the instrument, arranged in the order in which it is preferred to have the selections adapted to be produced by said sheets rendered are placed in the elevated magazine or holder, and the one to be first played is arranged in operative position about the pivot 3. The stop devices are then withdrawn and the motor set in operation, which causes the driving-sprocket 5 to actuate the operative tunesheet. In the further description of the operation I will assume that the controllingdisk 9st is adjusted to mesh with the tooth 102 of the driving devices, and therefore it is desired to play the selection produced by the tune-sheetin operative position but once and then substitute another tune-sheet. As the tune-sheet completes its revolution and the presser-arm 6 comes into line with the blank portion of the sheet between the beginning and the end of the selection, where there are no note projections, the shaft 76 is connected with the motor. The revolution of this shaft lifts the presser-arm 6, and as soon as the tune-sheet is thus released the spring-supported roller 0 disengages it from the driving'sprocket 5. The continued upward movement of the arm 6 removes the tune-sheet from the central pivot 3 and brings it into a horizontal position above said pivot and the supporting-rollers 9 10 and in the planes of the upper sides of the roller-supports 7 8. As the parts reach this position (indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2) the rotation of shaft 41 causes the presser-arm and the tune-sheet engaged therewith to be moved laterally, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. During this movement the master-gear31 is actuated and caused to first remove the roller-support 7 from the path of the laterally-moving notesheet, and by the time the outward movement of the arm 6 is completed thelowest one of the elevated series of note-sheets willbe released and move into operative position about the pivot 3. The note or tune sheet last released from the elevated magazine is held by the spring-mounted roller-support 9 out ofengagement with the driving-sprocket 5 until the arm 6 has returned to operative position and is depressed by its controlling-spring. It will be understood that the note or tune sheets are arranged in the magazine in such position that the blank portion of the sheet will be in alinement with the presser-arm 6 at the time it causes engagement of the sheet with the driving-sprocket. The above-described movements are repeated until each of the tunesheets has been brought into operative position and caused to actuate the sounding device. By properly adjusting the repeat-lever any one of the tune-sheets may be caused to make any desired number ot'revolutions, and thereby repeat the selection contained on that sheet, and also, if the position of the parts is not again changed, each of the following sheets of the series Will be likewise repeated. By adjusting the repeating devices so that the disk 93 is in position to be engaged by the tooth 102 the tune-sheet then in operative position will be continuously rotated,and the tune thereby produced repeated until an attendant shifts the lever 103. If, for example, the repeat-disks are so arranged that the disk 95, which is adapted to cause each tune-sheet to make two complete revolutions before-being removed from operative position, is in position to be engaged by the IIO tooth 102 on sleeve 78, and if priorto the completion of the second rendering of the tune produced by the sheet then in operative position it is desired to so adjust the mechanism that said sheet will be retained in operative position and the tune produced thereby repeated an indefinite number of times, the attendant proceeds as follows: By means of the lever 103 the entire series of repeatdisks is moved longitudinally of the shaft 76 to the right until the continuous-playing disk 92 is in alinement with the tooth 102, the indicator or pointer showing when this position is reached. This movement compresses the spring 108 and brings the supporting-arm 98 of disk 97 into such position that it bears against the bend of rodi87. When in this position, the end of said rod is closely adjacent to the face of disk 93, but is prevented from moving into the aperture 100 in said disk when it comes into alinement therewith by reason of the engagement therewith of the aforesaid disk-support 98, and the spring 108 being stronger than spring 86 the repeat-disks cannot be moved by the last-named spring to the left until the shift-lever 103' is again actuated. Thereforeit will be seen that as long as the parts are retained 'in this position the rod 87 is prevented front engaging with the disk 93 at the completion of a revolution thereof, and the tune produced by the tunesheet then in operative position will be repeated an indefinite number of times.

It will be understood that by providing the safety compression-spring 108 the shifting lever 103 may be adjusted at any time, and the result following such adjustment will take place upon the completion of the revolution of the tune-sheet then in operative position'if a change of sheets is to be effected.

It will be noticed that the clamping action or the engagement of the presser-rod 6 with the operative tune-sheet must be extremely accurate and considerable force must be exerted to hold the sheet in proper position. If this force were obtained by means of a weight or the clamping action were positive, it will be seen that the parts must be adjusted with extreme care and that wear and other causes are likely to destroy this. If a weight were used to exert the force, the vertical shaft or spindle 41 would be subjected to needless weight and friction during a large portion of its movement. A vertically-arranged springpulley directly upon the upper end of the said shaft would be even more objectionable than a weight, as its tension would increase as the spindle was elevated. By arranging the spring 55in the manner hereinbefore described it will be seen that I avoid applying the force or power thereof to the spindle or shaft, except during that portion of the move v ment of the latter when it is desirable.

iliary crank-pin is arranged on the crankdisk 7 9. This pin is placed much nearer the center of the crank-disk than the roller 80 and acts against a projection 116 on the cam 81, while the roller 80 is moving in the slot in said plate above the auxiliary pin. By reference to Figs. 8 to 12,inc1lisive, the various positions of the parts for rotating the shaft 41 when moving the tune-sheet last played from below the magazine will be clearly understood. WVhen the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 9, the force of the spring 55 has been practically overcome and the roller-pin 80 engages the upper end of the slot in cam 81 and moves it vertically. As this movement continues the roller engages with the side of the slot and moves the cam-plate 81 and the spindle or shaft 41 about the axis of said spindle. When the parts have reached the highest position, as shown in Fig. 10, the lug 54 is engaged with or resting on the lug 51, and the spindle or shaft 41 therefore does not move downwardly with the roller 80 until the arm 6 has completed its outward swing and returned to a position over the pivot 3.- When the arm 6 has reached the limit of its outward movement, the cam 81 audits operating-roller 80 are in the positions indicated in Fig. 11. During the return movement of said arm these parts respectively assume the position shown in Figs. 12 and 8.

It will be seen thatmany of the features of my invention are adapted for use in connection with musical instruments other than that style or type herein illustrated and described. It will also be evident that many changes in details of construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit'and scope of my invention, which changes will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art. I do not, therefore, wish' to limit myself strictly to the class of instruments illustrated nor to the particular construction and arrangement shown and described.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. The combination with a musical instrument, of means for sustaininga circular notesheet in substantially'a horizontal plane in operative relation to said instrument, means for automatically moving a series of notesheets successively to and from operative relation with said instrument, and means for rotating said note-sheets to play the same, for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination with a musical instrument, of means for sustaining a circular notesheet in substantially'a horizontal plane in operative relation to said instrument, a magazine adapted to hold a plurality of notesheets arranged in substantially horizontal planes, means for automatically moving the note-sheets successively from the magazine to operative relation with the instrument, and

means for rotating said note-sheets to play,

the same, for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with a musical instrument, of a holder adapted to hold a plurality of circular note-sheets arranged in a vertical series with their flat faces substantially in horizontal planes, means for withdrawing the sheets'successively from the bottom of the holder and moving them into operative relation with the musical instrument, and means for rotating said note-sheets to play the same, for the purpose set forth.

4:. The combination with a musical instrument, of a magazine for circular note-sheets arranged above the instrument and adapted to hold the note-sheets in a horizontal position, means for lowering the note-sheets successively and engaging them in operative relation with the said instrument, and means for rotating said note-sheets to play the same, for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination with a musical instrument, of a magazine'arr'anged above the instrument and adapted to hold a vertical series of circular notesheets, automatic means for lowering note-sheets successively from the bottom of the magazine into operative relation with the instrument, and means for rotating said note-sheets to play the same, for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination with a m usioal instrument, of a magazine constructed to hold a plurality of circular horizontally-disposed notesheets arranged in vertical order, sustaining and feeding devices constructed to sustain the sheets in the magazine and feed them successively from the magazine to the musical instrument, and means for rotating said notesheets to play the same, for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination with a musical instrument, of a magazine constructed to hold aplurality of horizontally-disposed note-sheets arranged in vertical order, a series of sustaining devices arranged about the lower part of the magazine, and means for operating said devices simultaneously at stated periods to feed the note-sheets successively from the magazine to the instrument.

8. The combination with a musical instrument, of a magazine adapted to hold a series of circular note-sheets, a circular series of sustaining and feeding devices arranged about the magazine, and a ring connecting and operatingsaid devices, for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination with sound-producing mechanism, of disk rotating mechanism, mechanism to normally maintain a disk apart from said rotating mechanism and in such relation to said rotary mechanism that it will gravitate thereto, and means to release the disk from said normal position and cause it to gravitate to engagement with the rotating mechanism.

lOflhe combination with sound-producing mechanism, of disk rotating mechanism, mechanism to normally maintain a disk apart from the said rotating mechanism, in axial alinement therewith, and mechanism to antomatically engage said disk upon said diskrotating mechanism.

11. The combination with sound-producing mechanism, of disk rotating mechanism, mechanism to normally maintain a series of disks apart from said rotating mechanism, the respective disks being in axial alinement therewith, and mechanism to automatically engage said disks in succession upon said disk-rotating mechanism.

12. The combination with sound-producing mechanism, of disk-rotating mechanism, a disk-holder permanently fixed with respect to said rotating mechanism, and means to effeet the transference of a disk from said fixed holder to engagement with said rotating mechanism.

13. The combination with sound-producing mechanism, of disk rotating mechanism, a disk-holder in fixed relation with said rotating mechanism, and mechanism to automatically discharge a disk from said rotating mechanism upon said fixed holder.

14. The combination with sou lid-producing mechanism, of disk-rotating mechanism, two disk-holders in fixed relation with said rotating mechanism, and mechanism to automatically transfer a disk from one of said hold,- ers to said rotating mechanism, and from the latter to the second of said holders.

15. The combination with sound-producing mechanism, of disk-rotating mechanism, and means to support a disk adjacent to said mechanism, comprising a blade adapted to release said disk for engagement upon said mechanism. 16. The combination with sound-producing mechanism, of disk-rotating mechanism, and means to support a disk adjacent to said mechanism comprising a plurality of retractable blades for circumferential engagement with said disk.

17. The combination with aholder for a series of disks of the class described, of a series of disks provided with means to engage an actuating mechanism, members to engage a sound-producing device, and members distinct from the other members aforesaid, whereby the respective disks are separated in said series and prevented from nesting.

18. The combination with a musical instrument, of means for rotating a note-sheet to play the instrument, a laterally-movable arm provided with means for engaging and sustaining the note-sheet, and means for moving said arm laterally to discharge a note-sheet after it has been played.

19. The combination with a musical instrument, of a magazine for note-sheets located above said instrument, a laterally-movable arm arranged between said magazine and the instrument, means carried by said arm for engaging and sustaining a note-sheet, and means for moving said arm laterally to discharge the note-sheet after it has been played.

20. The combination with disk rotating mechanism and with a musical instrument,

of a magazine arranged above the same, a holder below said magazine and partly beneath the same, means for transferring notesheets from the magazine to the instrument, and means for transferring the played sheets from the instrument to the said holder.

21. The combination with a musical instrument, of a holder for note-sheets at one side of the instrument, means for. feeding notesheets thereto, means for holding a note-sheet in horizontal position and in engagement With the instrument, means for rotating the notesheet to play the same, and means for automatically transferring the notesheet horizontally after it is played to the holder at one side of said instrument.

22. The combination with a musical instrument, of a holder for notesheets at one side of the instrument, means for feeding notesheets thereto, means for holding a note-sheet in horizontal position and in engagement with the instrument, means for rotating the notesheet to play the same, means for lifting the note-sheet out of engagement with the instrument, and means for transferring the notesheet in horizontal direction to the holder at one side of the instrument.

23. The combination with a musical instrument, of a magazine for holding a series of circular note-sheets, means for moving the note'sheets successively from the magazine into operative relation with the instrument, means for rotating the note-sheets to play the same, a note-sheet holder arranged partly below the note-sheets when in playing position, and means for removing the sheets when played from the instrument to said note-sheet holder.

24. The combination with a musical instrument, of means for holding note-sheets in operative relation to said instrument, means for rotating the note-sheets, a holder for notesheets that have been played arranged partly beneath the sheets when the latter are in playing position, and means for transferring the note-sheets to said holder when played. 25. The combination witha musical instrument, of a magazine above said instrument, means for lowering note-sheets successively from the magazine into operative relation with said instrument, a horizontally-swinging arm having means for carrying a note-sheet, and means for operating said arm to remove the played sheets from the instrument horizontally to a place of deposit at one side thereof.

26. The combination of a stationary sounding device, a series of note-sheets adapted to actuate said sounding device, means for successively and automatically moving said sheets into operative position, and an arm adapted to hold the sheet that is in operative position in engagement with the sounding device and provided with means to remove said sheet from operative position when it has been played.

27. The combination of a stationary sounding device, a series of note-sheets adapted to actuate said sounding device, means forsupporting said sheets in horizontal position above the sounding device, means for successively releasing said sheets from said elevated support, and means for removing the sheet last played from operative position relative to the sounding device.

28. The combination of a stationary horizontally-arranged sounding device, a series of note-sheets each adapted to actuate said sounding device, means for holding said sheetsin ahorizontal position abovethe sounding device, means for successively releasing the note-sheets from said elevated support to allow them to move into engagement with the sounding device, means for rotating the sheet in engagement with the sounding device, and an arm provided with means for lifting the note-sheet when played from engagement with the sounding device and move it laterally from operative position.

29. The combination of a sounding device, a horizontally-supported note-sheet arranged above and adapted to actuate said sounding device, and an arm arranged above and adapted to hold the sheetin operative engagement with the sounding device, said arm being supported to move about a vertical axis.

30. The combination of asounding device,

a note-sheet for actuating the sounding device, an arm pivotally supported adjacent to the note-sheet, said arm being arranged to hold the sheet in operative relation with the sounding device and having means to connect with said sheet at or near its center, and means for rocking said arm about its pivot to move the note-sheet engaged thereby from operative position.

31. The combination of a sounding device, a note-sheet provided with a central apertu re, a pivot or central guide forsaid sheet, an arm pivotally supported at a point adjacent to the sheet and having means adapted to enter the central aperture and engage with the note-sheet, and automatic means for causing said arm to move about its pivot and remove the note-sheet from operative position.

32. The combination of a sounding device, a note-sheet, a pivotally-supported arm having means to connect with said sheet in its operative positionnneans for rocking said arm about its pivot to move the note-sheet engaged thereby into an inoperative position, and means for automatically detaching said sheet from the arm in said latter position.

33. The combination of a sounding device, a note-sheet adapted to actuate the sounding device, a presser-arm adapted to hold the note-sheet against the sounding device, means for moving the arm away from the note-sheet upon the completion of the tune played thereby, and means carried by the arm for detachably connecting it with the note-sheet to remove said sheet from engagement with the sounding device.

34. The combination of a sounding device,

a note-sheet adapted to actuate the sounding device, a presser-arm adapted to hold the note-sheet against the sounding device, dogs carried by the presser-arm for connecting the presser-arm positively with the note-sheet, means for normally holding said dogs in engagement with the tune-sheet, and means for positively moving said dogs to disengage the note-sheet from the said arm.

35. The combination of a sounding device, a series of note-sheets each adapted to actuate the sounding device, means for supporting a series of said sheets in horizontal position above the sounding device, means for automatically withdrawing the supports from the lowest of said series of sheets and retaining the remainder of the series in elevated position, means for rotating the note-sheet released from said series while in contact with the sounding device, and means for antomatically removing said sheet from opera tive position before releasing another sheet from said elevated series.

36. The combination of a sounding device, a series of note-sheets adapted to actuate the sounding device, a frame or holder arranged above the sounding device and adapted to receive a series of said sheets in a horizontal position, a series of supporting plates or flugers mounted on said frame and adapted to extend below the lowest sheet of the series in said holder, means for withdrawing said supporting-plates from operative position to release the lowest sheet in the series, means for holding the remaining sheets in their ele vated position when the lowest one of the series is released, means for holding the released sheet in operative relation with the sounding device, and means for removing the note-sheet from operative position.

37. The combination of a sounding device, a series of note-sheets each adapted to actuate the sounding device, a holder arranged above the sounding device and adapted to receive a series of said sheets in horizontal position,supports for said series of note-sheets each comprising two reciprocating plates, one of the plates of each-support operating to engage with alternate sheets of the series and the other plate engaging with the remaining sheets in said series, and means for reciprocating said plates, for the purpose set forth.

38. The combination of a series of horizontally-arranged note-sheets, supports for said sheets adapted to be reciprocated radially thereof and to rock about a horizontal axis or fulcrum, means for holding said supports alternately against vertical movement about their axes, and means for reciprocating said supports, for the purpose set forth.

39. The combination of a series of notesheets, supports for holding said sheets in horizontal position and each including a plate adapted to extend beneath the lowest sheet in the series and mounted to vibrate abouta transverse fulcrum, a stop device normally engaging each of said plates on the opposite side of its fulcrum from the note-sheets supported thereby, means for moving said stop out of engagement with the plate, and means for supporting all but the lowest of the series of tune-sheets when said stop is withdrawn, for the purpose set forth.

40. The combination of a holder or magazine for a series of note-sheets, supports for said sheets each including two plates, means for maintaining one of said plates beneath the series of note-sheets, and means for reciprocating said plates and means for guiding said plates to cause each plate in turn to rise above the plane of the other plate and enter the series of note-sheets between the two lowest sheets therein and to withdraw the other plate from operative position below the series of note-sheets, for the purpose set forth.

41. The combination of a holder or magazine for a series of note-sheets; supports for said sheets each including two plates provided at their end adjacent to the note-sheets with overlapping sections, 19, 20; means for maintaining one of said end sections 19, 20, beneath the series of note-sheets; and means for reciprocating. said plates and means for guiding said plates to cause the operative end of each plate in turn to pass over the corresponding section of the other plate and enter the series of tune-sheets between the two lowest sheets therein and to withdraw the other plate from operative position below the series of note-sheets, for the purpose set forth.

42. The combination of a holder or magazine for a series of note-sheets; supports for said series of sheets each comprising two plates, 16, 17; a shaft mounted adjacent to each of said pairs of supporting-plates; an arm extending from said shaft and adapted to alternately engage with said plates; whereby as the shaft is rotated said plates will be reciprocated and alternately moved into position to support the series of note-sheets; a pinion on each of said shafts, a master-gear meshing with all of said piuions; and means for oscillating said master-gear to actuate the said plates of each support and release the lowest sheet in said series.

43. The combination witha musical instrument, of a magazine for note-sheets located above said instrument, a presserarm arranged to move vertically and to swing horizontally, and means for swinging said arm away from its operative position above the musical instrument to permit new sheets to descend from the magazine.

44. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of the presser-arm, the vertically-sliding rock-shaft upon which said arm is mounted, means for lowering and raising said arm to clamp and release the note-sheet, means for connecting said arm with the note sheet, and means for rocking the shaft to carry the notesheet away from the instrument, for the purpose set forth.

45. In a machine of the class described, the combination of the presser-arm, the sliding rock-shaft to which said arm is connected, the cam connected to said shaft, and the crankpin cooperating with said cam to impart the proper movements to the shaft, for the purpose set forth.

46. In a machine of the class described, the combination of the presser-arm, the sliding rock-shaft upon which said arm is carried, the cam onsaid rock-shaft, and the crankdisk cooperating with said cam, said disk having a pin near its center to impart the initial movement to-said rock-shaft, and a second pin adapted to complete the movement of the rock-shaft,lfor the purpose set forth.

47. In a self-playing musical instrument; the combination of a sounding device; a series of tunetsheetseach adapted to actuate said sounding device; means for supporting said sheets in inoperative positions; a presserarm adapted to hold the sheets successively in operative position relative to thesounding device, and having means to connect positively therewith; a motor for rotating the tune-sheet in operative position; a powershaft, adapted to be intermittingly driven by said motor; means actuated by said shaft for moving the presser-arm and played tunesheet engaged thereby from operative position; and means actuated by said shaft whereby the tun'e-sheets are successively moved into operative position.

48. In a musical instrument, the combination of a sounding device, a tune-sheet adapted to actuate the sounding device, a presserarm for holding the tune-sheet in operative position relative to the sounding device, a motor, a shaft supporting the presser-arm, a cam-plate on said shaft, and means intermittingly rotated by the motor for engaging with said cam and vibrating said shaft to move the presser-arm toand from an operative position.

49. In a self-playing musical instrument, the combination of 'a sounding device, a tunesheet adapted to actuate the sounding device, a motor, a driving-gear rotating continuously when the motor is in action, a power-shaft, a gear rigidly secured to the shaft, a gear loosely mounted on said shaft and meshing with the continuously-rotating driving-gear, gearing between the motor and tune-sheet for rotating said sheet, means for automatically connecting said gears on the power-shaft when the tune-sheet has made a predetermined number of revolutions, and means actuated by said shaft for moving the tune-sheet from operative position.

50. In a rself-playing musical instrument, the combination of a sounding device, a tunesheet adapted to actuate the sounding device, a motor, a gear, rotating continuously when the'motor is in action, a power-transmitting shaft, a mutilated gear secured to said shaft in the planes of the said continuously-rotating gear, another gear mounted loosely on the shaft and meshing with the continuouslyrotating gear, means connected with the shaft for moving the tune-sheet from operative position, and means for connecting said gears on the shaft at predetermined times.

51. In a self-playing musical instrument, the combination of a horizontally-arranged scunding'device,a series of tune-sheets each adapted to actuate the sound device, supports for holding said sheets in a horizontal position above the sound-producing device, a motor, a power-shaft, connections between said shaft and the supports for the' tunesheets adapted to automatically release the lowest sheet from said supports, means connected with said shaft for engaging directly with the tune-sheet that is in operative position, and means for connecting saidxshaft with the motor upon the completioni of a revolution of the operative tune-sheet:

52. In a self-playing musical instrument, the combination of a-sounding device, aseries of tune-sheets each adapted to actuate the sounding device, means for holding thetunesheets in an inoperative position, means for successively moving the tune-sheets into operative position, a crank for actuating the last said means, a motor, means connected with the motor for rotating the tune-sheet that is in operative position, a power-transmitting shaft, a gear loosely mounted on said shaft and rotating continuously when the motor is in operation, means for engaging with the operative tune sheet, a supplemental shaft for actuating said means,:a gear secured to the power-transmitting shaft and adapted to actuate both the said crank and the said supplemental shaft, and means for connecting the said pcwer-transmittingshaftwith the continuously-rotating gear upon the completion of a revolution of the operative tunesheet.

53. In a self-playing musical instrument, the combination of a sounding device, atunesheet adapted to actuate said device, a motor, gearing connected with the motor for rotating the tune-sheet, a gear rotating continuously when the motor is in action, a powertransmitting shaft, a gear mounted loosely on said shaft and meshing with the continuouslyrotating gear, a mutilated gear fast on the shaft, a collar mounted on the shaft on the opposite side of said mutilated gear frem the loosely-mounted gear, coupling-pins carried by said collar and adapted to extend into aiined passages in the gears on the shaft, means for holding said pins out of engagement with the loosely-mounted gear, means connected with the shaft for moving the tune-sheet from operative position,and means for causing the coupling to connect said gears upon the completion of a rotation of the tnne-sheet. or

:54. In a musical instrument, the combination of a sounding device, a tune-sheet adapted to actuate said device, means for moving the tune-sheet laterally out of operative position, rollers for assisting in supporting said sheet in operative position, and an automatically-movable support for that one of said rollers which is arranged in the path of lateral movement of the tune-sheet.

55. In a musical instrument, the combination of a horizontally-arranged sounding device, a tune-sheet adapted to actuate said device, a roll-support adapted to extend beneath the tune-sheet when in operative position, means for moving the tune-sheet laterally out of operative position, and means for automatically moving said roll-support laterally and vertically out of the path of movementof the tune-sheet.

56. In a musical instrument, the combination of the horizontally-arranged sounding device, a note-sheet adapted to actuate the sounding device, a roll for assisting in supporting the note-sheet in operative position, a spring-pressed, pivotally-mounted carrier for said roll, means for positively lifting the tune-sheet and moving it laterally from operative position, and means for automatically moving said supporting-roll from the path of said sheet.

5'7. The combination with a musical instrument, of a repeating mechanism comprising a graduated series of repeating-wheels, each constructed and arranged to effect the playing of a tune by said instrument a predetermined number of times, and means for bringing any one of said wheels into operative relation with the instrument.

58. In a musical instrument, an automatic mechanism for changing note-sheets, in combination with mechanism for causing each note-sheet to be repeated a predetermined number of times, such repeating mechanism comprising a graduated series of toothed repeating-wheels, and means for bringing any one of said wheels into action.

59. In a musical instrument, the combination with a motor and a shaft continuously driven by the motor, of a graduated series of repeating-wheels adapted to be separately engaged by said shaft, means whereby each wheel causes the note-sheet tobe repeated a predetermined number of times, and a musicchanging mechanism adapted to be thrown into action upon the completion of the revolution of the operative repeating-wheel.

60. The combination with a musical instrument, of aseries of repeating-wheels each constructed and arranged to cause a tune to be repeated a definite number of times, of an additional repeating-Wheel adapted to cause a tune to be played continuously, and means for bringing any one of said repeating-wheels into action.

61. In a musical instrument, the combination with a motor and the gear 74, continuously rotated by the motor, of a shaft 78, continuously operated by said gear, and having a single tooth, the notched repeating-wheels, adapted to be singly engaged with said tooth, the music-changing mechanism the mutilated gearing for operating said mechanism, and

the device controlled by the repeating-wheels for throwing said mutilated gear into mesh with the gear 74.

62. In a repeating mechanism for musical instruments, the combination with a shaft 78 having a tooth, of the repeating-wheels having notches in their peripheries to cooperate with said tooth, and each having a perforation, and the clutch-operating rod 87, adapted to cooperate with said perforations.

63. In a repeating mechanism for musical instruments, the combination with a shaft, 78, adapted to rotate the note-sheet in operative position, of a graduated series of repeating-wheels, each'adapted to be rotated by said shaft, means for connecting the repeat-wheel geared to said shaft with the note-sheet, a frame in which said wheels are mounted, and means for sliding the frame to bring any desired wheel into operative position relative to said shaft.

64. The combination with a musical instrument, and a series of note-sheets each adapted to actuate said instrument, of supports for holding said series of sheets in inoperative position above the instrument, each support comprising two members both mounted to move toward and from the instrument and to and from the path of the note-sheets, means for causing said members to alternately support the series of note-sheets, and means permitting the operative member to move with the series of sheets toward the instrument until said sheets are intercepted by the other said member.

65. The combination with a musical instru ment, and a series of note-sheets each adapted to actuate said instrument, of means for holding said series of sheets in inoperative position above the instrument, means for successively releasing the lowest sheet of the series, and means for continuously supporting the remaining sheets of the series.

66. The combination with a musical instrument, and a series of note-sheets each adapted to actuate said instrument, of supports for holding a series of note-sheets in.inoperative position above the instrument, each of said supports including two reciprocating plates, meansfor reciprocating said plates into and from the path of movement of the note-sheets,-

such movement of the plates in one direction being in the plane of. the space between the two lowest sheets of the series and in the opposite direction in a plane below the lowest of the series, and means for moving said plates vertically from one of said planes to the other.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD P. OOVVLES.

Witnesses:

T. H. GILLMER, ELMER W. GILLMER.

ICC 

